Error Traps in Developing a Pediatric Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Program
Christian M Taylor1, Emily L Weisberg1, Nichole M Doyle1
1Department of Anesthesiology, Children's Mercy Kansas City, University of Missouri, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
Insights
Implementing enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways in pediatrics requires addressing challenges like institutional support and data management. Focusing on these key themes ensures successful pediatric ERAS program development and long-term maintenance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathways improve outcomes, satisfaction, and reduce costs in adults.
- Pediatric ERAS pathways are expanding but face implementation and success challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore common challenges in pediatric ERAS development and implementation.
- To provide strategies for avoiding potential pitfalls in pediatric ERAS pathways.
Main Methods:
- Review of key themes in pediatric ERAS implementation.
- Identification of common challenges and strategic solutions.
Main Results:
- Key challenges include securing departmental/institutional support, engaging stakeholders, and ensuring pathway awareness.
- Effective data management, dissemination, and long-term maintenance using PDSA cycles are crucial.
Conclusions:
- Awareness of potential pitfalls in pediatric ERAS development is essential.
- Addressing identified challenges promotes the long-term success of well-designed pediatric ERAS pathways.
Abstract:
Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways have been shown to improve patient outcomes, increase patient satisfaction, and decrease costs. First created and implemented in the adult population, these pathways are now commonplace and continue to expand in the pediatric realm. While there are many proven benefits to ERAS pathways, there continue to be challenges to their proper implementation and long-term success. This article aims to explore common challenges in pediatric ERAS development and implementation, along with strategies to avoid potential pitfalls. Key themes include departmental and institutional support, stakeholder engagement, awareness of pathways, data management and dissemination, and long-term maintenance including Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles. Pathway development teams should be aware of these considerations and potential pitfalls, and focusing on them can promote long-term success for a well-designed pathway.
